I don't know whether you've looked recently but the world is getting bigger. Evidently size does matter and the race is well and truly on to design, build and launch the biggest, longest, heaviest, fastest, most spectacular and awe-inspiring...everything. It's all about going mega - from the revolution of massive new tourism destinations such as Dubai with its wonders of Burj al Arab and the multiple Palm man-made island developments with up to 40 hotels; to truly massive cruise ships such as the Queen Mary II cruising the seas, and plans underway to build cruise ships many times her size. A project we hear is currently on the drawing board is the "Freedom Ship" envisaged to cruise the world's oceans carrying 50,000 passengers, 15,000 crew and a jet airport on the top deck! The Airbus A380 super jumbo, capable of carrying over 550 people, flies commercially for the first time with Singapore Airlines this year and a host of global airlines won't be far behind. The world's airports have been lengthening and broadening runways and updating terminal facilities just to cater for the arrival of this mega transport. And the implications for global tourism, despite terrorism, are huge indeed. Gulfstream, the world's most revered private jet manufacturer continues to improve the speed, range and luxury appointments of its latest globetrotting G550. And in the private aviation market, the race is on to develop the world's first supersonic private jet, the Aerion, for all those who simply miss the Concorde all too much. So it's not just megayachts at the top end of the luxury marine scene which are the most affluent demonstration of this global megatrend. Superyacht and megayacht builds have been steadily increasing in length, displacement and opulence for many years. The growth at the top end for truly mega private yachts such as the 160m Dubai and 128m Octopus is the tip of the iceberg and reflective of the massive growth in demand for larger and larger private yachts, particularly in the 30m to 50m market sector for superyachts. Even superyachts owned by Australians have been reaching lengths of 70 plus metres which makes you draw pause to contemplate the market potential here in Australia. And the megatrend continues through all levels of the boating industry with unprecedented demand in Australia and overseas for bigger boats. The rule appears to be the bigger the boat, the stronger the demand. The old adage of the "rich getting richer" is holding true and the ageing population of the western world is releasing vast amounts of the two key ingredients of time and money. And with an increased focus on leisure and living life to the full, the marine lifestyle and boating industry is one key megatrend we will all watch very closely. Anthony Twibill Publisher and Director PERSPECTIVE Megatrends 12 | ocean